Awards and Recognition
Annual Report
TxDOT Top Research Innovations and Findings Awards
FY 2007 began auspiciously with a news release announcing that four CTR research teams received 2005 TxDOT Top Research Innovations and Findings Awards. Following are descriptions of the award-winning projects.
Artificial Lighting for TxDOT’s Automated Pavement Crack Rating System
This project developed a light bar that enables TxDOT to collect time-independent and weather-invariant cracking data. If the new device optimizes routine and preventative maintenance, as anticipated, the estimated savings to TxDOT will be approximately $600,000 per year. CTR Researchers: Research Supervisor Bugao Xu, Yaxiong Huang, and Yuequi Zhong.
Light bar installed on front bumpers
Model for Predicting Operational and Safety Impacts When Retrofitting Bicycle Lanes
By observing bicyclists in test sites, CTR researchers were able to build a model that predicts the lateral positions of both the cyclist and the motorist when sharing the roadway. The model, along with the accompanying user guide, provides valuable information to designers, planners, and engineers considering on-street bicycle facilities. CTR Researchers: Research Supervisor Randy Machemehl, Ian Hallett, David Luskin, and Khali Persad.
Observations taken from the field video included the lateral position of the bicyclist (LPB) relative to the curb, the change in lateral position of the motorist (CLP) in the course of passing the cyclist, and whether or not the motorist encroached (ENCROACH?) on the adjacent motor vehicle lane.
ConcreteWorks Software
ConcreteWorks is a suite of Windows-based concrete technology programs designed to improve the constructability and durability of concrete. It provides tools for designing concrete mixtures, predicting heat generation in mass concrete, and integrating durability into concrete design. ConcreteWorks is available for free on the ConcreteWorks site: www.texasconcreteworks.com. CTR Researchers: Research Supervisor Kevin Folliard, Maria Juenger, Kyle Riding, Jonathon Poole, David Fowler, Loukas Kallivokas, and David Whitney.
An output screen from ConcreteWorks, graphically representing the temperature distribution within a rectangular column.
RUDI—Right-of-Way and Utility Adjustment Duration Information System
The Right-of-Way Utility Adjustment Duration Information system (RUDI) combined with the Stratified and Integrated R/W and Utility Adjustment Process Flow Map, provide a decision-making instrument that can reduce the time from planning to construction of a project. This, in turn, facilitates public commerce and reduces adverse traffic problems and their associated costs. CTR Researchers: Research Supervisor Edward Gibson, James O’Connor, Nabeel Khwaja, and Khali Persad.
The RUDI project developed tools to improve TxDOT’s ability to forecast crucial construction dates.
Faculty and Researcher Awards
Dr. Chandra Bhat, CTR faculty researcher and civil engineering professor, was given the 2007 Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award by the Graduate School at The University of Texas at Austin. Professor Bhat also received the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Award for Excellence in Engineering Teaching.
Dr. Oguzhan Bayrak received the College of Engineering Award for Outstanding Teaching by an Assistant Professor.
Dr. Kevin Folliard received the Texas Blazers Outstanding Faculty Award.
Dr. Maria Juenger was elected Chair of the Cement Division of The American Ceramic Society by written ballot of its members.
Dr. Kara Kockelman received the 2007 Harland Bartholomew Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Professor Kockelman also received the 2006 Geoffrey J.D. Hewings Award from the Regional Science Association International (RSAI).
Dr. Joseph F. Malina, P.E., DEE, C.W., was recognized by the American Academy of Water Resources Engineers as an eminent water resources engineer based on his advanced expertise and extensive experience in water resources engineering and certified as a Diplomate, Water Resources Engineer (D.WRE).
Dr. Lance Manuel and his student, Korn Saranyasoontorn, who earned his civil engineering doctorate in May 2006, won the Best Journal Paper for 2006 from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers’ Technical Committee on Wind Energy (Solar Energy Division).
Dr. Travis Waller was been selected as one of the nation’s brightest young engineers to take part in the National Academy of Engineering’s 13th annual U.S. Frontiers of Engineering symposium.